Gun for perforating well casing within the well



p 1942- A. J. COLLINS 2,295,634

GUN FOR PERFORATING WELL CASING WITHIN THE WELL Filed Feb. 9, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet l Q 83 Q m Wmu R; E a

ARTHUR QLL/A/S Sept. 15, 1942.

A. J. COLLINS GUN FOR PERFORATING WELL CASING WITHIN THE WELL 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 grime/whom Filed Feb. 9, 1940 Sept. 15, 194 A. J. COLLINS GUN FOR PERFORATING WELL CASING WITHIN THE WELL 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Feb. 9, 1940 I! If!!! Sept. 15, 1942.

A. J. COLLINS 2,295,634 GUN FOR PERFORATING WELL CAS ING WITHIN THE WELL Filed Feb. 9, 1940 4 Sheets$heet 4 i I J mm ARTHURJ. COLLINS Patented Sept. 15, T1942 hulihh Sinai S PATENT FFEQE,

GUN FINE PERFORATING WELL CASKNG WII'IHIN THE WELL 24 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in a gun for perforating well casing within the well.

This application is a continuation in part of my original application, filed July 19, 1939, Serial Number 285,415, and is substituted therefor.

Numerous difiiculties have been experienced with the various types of guns now in common use. For example, some guns are provided with superposed firing chambers, all communicating at their back with the ignition chamber, so that when a charge is fired and the fiame and pressure acts upon the inner ends of the firing charges, all of said charges will be substantially fired simultaneously which obviously will subject the gun to an excessive amount of force. Further, the exposed inner ends of the firin chambers communicating with the large ignition chamber results in a waste of a large amount of the explosive force imparted to each individual projectile; such force is sometimes reduced to such an extent that the projectile will not penetrate certain types of casing. Other guns are fired by electrical means, which is often dangerous in that they may accidently explode due to a short circuit, or other causes.

Therefore, an important object of the invention is to provide an improved perforating gun wherein the projectiles are fired in a novel manner.

One object of the invention is to provide animproved perforating gun having individual firing chambers and a firing or ignition channel transeating said chambers, whereby the explosive charges are successively or progressively fired or ignited, so that the explosive force in each chamher is more fully and more efiectively utilized.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved perforating gun of the type described, wherein the firing or ignition channel is of restricted cross-sectional area and relatively small with relation to the cubical content of each firing chamber, whereby the loss of explosive force through such channel is substantially nega- Live.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved perforating gun having a barrel provided with. a plurality of superposed firing chambers connected by a firing ignition or channel, having therein a firing or ignition medium arranged to fire or ignite the explosive charge in a succeeding chamber by utilizing the ignition or explosive force from a preceding chamber when the latter is fired.

Still another obiect of the invention is to provide a perforating gun having individual firin chambers and a firing medium extendin through said chambers and contacting the firing charge in each of said chambers, whereby the charges are individually and successively fired, and the failure of a charge in a preceding chamber to fire will not prevent said medium from firing the charges in a succeeding chamber.

A further object of the invention is to provide a perforating gun having a plurality of superposed firing chambers and a firing channel connecting said chambers provided with firing elements arranged to be moved by the explosive force in one chamber to fire the charge in the next chamber.

A construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter described, together with other features of the invention.

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanyin drawings, in which an example of the invention is shown, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a portion of the gun, constructed in accordance with the invention,

' Figure 1a is a vertical view, partly in elevation and partly in section, showing an upper portion of the device shown in Figure l, which is also constructed in accordance withthe invention,

Figure 2 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1a,

Figure 3 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Figure la,

Figure 4 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken on the line 3-6 of Figure 1,

Figure 5 is a vertical view, partly in elevation and partly in section, of the upper portion of the device, showing it in its hammer releasing position,

Figure 6 is an enlarged sectional view of a cartridge constructed in accordance with the invention,

Figure 7 is an enlarged sectional view of the gas check used in the cartridge shown in Figure 1,

Figure 8 is a vertical cross-sectional view, showing another means for firing the projectiles.

Figure 9 shows still another form for firing the projectiles,

Figure 10 is an enlarged sectional view of another type of cartridge constructed in accordance with the invention,

Figure 11 is a vertical sectional view, showing another form for firing the cartridges,

Figure 12 is a view in elevation, showing a series of guns constructed in accordance with the invention,

Figure 13 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken on the line Fla-l3 of Figure 9,

Figure 14 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken on the line M---l 3 of Figure 11,

Figure 15 is an enlarged vertical sectional view, showing how two guns could be connected, and

Figure 16 is a vertical sectional view, showing how two gun bodies may be connected.

In the drawings, the numeral 6 designates the body or barrel of the gun which may be constructed as a single section or made up of a plurality of sections. The body 6 is preferably cylindrical, and is provided with a plurality of elongated transverse recesses, or firing chambers 2, extending inwardly towards the center of said body. It is pointed out that said chambers are preferably cylindrical in shape and constitute a plurality of firing chambers, so that cartridges or explosive charges may be inserted therein. Said chambers may be provided in said body at elevations and relatively spaced circumferentially of the body, so as to be directed at various angles. It isfurther pointed out that any number of such chambers may be provided. An axial externally screw-threaded stud 3 is provided on the upper end of the body 11. Said stud is provided with a central recess (3. The upper portion of said recess is enlarged and receives an elongated firing plunger 8. Surrounding the upper portion of the firing plunger 8 is an annular collar ii, and confined between said collar and the lower end of the enlarged recess 5, is a coiled spring t. The lower end of the plunger 8 extends downwardly into the recess 6, and the upper end of said plunger extends above said collar and is surrounded by a retaining plug 9, which is screw-threaded into the upper portion of the recess 5. The upper portion of the plunger 83 is slidable within the retaining plug 9, and extends above said plug. The lower end of the plunger is spaced slightly above the lower end of the recess Ll.

Provided in the body 6, is a channel Ml which extends from the lower end of the recess l to the bottom of the body. The lower end of-the body l is recessed at M, and is provided with internal screw-threads. Screw-threadedly attached to the recess M, is a bull-nose plug l2. It will be noted that by the insertion of the plug it, the lower end of the channel it is also closed. It will be seen in the drawings (Figure l) that the central channel it communicates or transects with all of the chambers 2, said chambers being preferably spaced an equal distance and forming a plurality of firing chambers.

Mounted in the channel it, are a plurality of firing pins it! which are disposed to slide longitudinally in said channel, which provides a guideway therefor. The pins 03 extend from one chamber to the next chamber, and have their ends terminating substantially at the bores of said chambers. The upper pin M is the initial firing pin and has its lower end terminating at the upper chamber, and its upper end projecting slightly into the enlarged recess 6 and underlying the lower end of the firing plunger t. However, there is provided a space between the upper end of the pin Hi and the lower end of the firing plunger 8. It is pointed out that other means than the pins l3 and M may be used, as will be hereinafter explained.

The upstanding stud 3 of the body i is screwed m;

into a box I5, located on the lower end of the firing head IS. The firing head I6 is provided with an axial cylindrical chamber l1; and slidably mounted within said chamber, is a firing hammer E8. The hammer near its upper end is provided with an external annular groove IS. The lower end of the chamber I1 is closed by the stud 3, and the firing plunger 8 extends into said chamber. The upper end of said chamber is closed by the head I6; thus the hammer is slidably confined between the closed upper end and the closed lower end of said chamber H. A coiled spring 20 is confined between the upper end of the hammer l8 and the closed end of the chamber it. Said spring, when compressed, will act to urge said hammer downwardly. The hammer M3 is preferably constructed with an axial recess 2i and a plurality of divergent vents 22 extending to the bottom of the hammer and communicating with the chamber I7. Thus, an air cushion cannot be formed within the chamher i l below the hammer, thereby preventing air or fluid from becoming trapped within the path of the hammer when it is moved downwardly by the spring 20.

The fiiring head H3 is provided with an upper axial bore 23, which has its upper end internally screw-threaded and its lower end spaced above the chamber H. A plurality of radial ports 2d extend from the bore 23 to the outer surface of the head. A tubular mandrel 25 is screwed into the upper internally screw-threaded end of the bore Surrounding and slidably engaging on the mandrel 25, is a sectional sleeve having an upper section it and a lower section 21. The lower end of the section 21 is externally screwthreaded, and a collar 28 is screw threadedly attached to the lower end of the section 217. Said collar projects below the lower end of the sleeve, and is provided with an inwardly extending annular flange til. Rotatably confined between the lower end of the section 21 and the upper surface of the flange 30, is a ring 3! surrounding the lower end of the mandrel 25, so that said ring is free to rotate around the mandrel 25 and between the section 2'! and the flange 30.

A plurality of rods 32 are mounted to slide vertically within the head IS, on each side of the bore 23, and extend below said bore. The upper ends of said rods are securely fastened to the ring 31. There is provided a space between the inner periphery of the flange and the rods. The lower end of the-head I6 is provided with diametrically opposite openings 33 extending from the chamber l1, and which have their outer endsinternally screw-threaded. Screw-threaded plugs 36 close the outer ends of the openings 33, but do not contact the rods 32. Positioned between the rods 32 and the hammer [8, are a pair of balls 35, which are normally held in the annular groove I19. The rods 32 are of such a thickness that said balls are held within said groove and cannot escape until said rods are pulled up wardly, so as to allow said balls to move out 01' said groove. Thus, said hammer is held in its elevated or firing position, and the spring 20 is compressed, whereby the hammer is ready to be released for firing.

When the rods 32 are moved upwardly, so that their lower ends pass the balls 35, said balls are inwardly to engage within the groove is and lock the hammer l8. The upper end of the sleeve section 21 is provided with an upwardly tapered bowl 3i. Surrounding the mandrel 25, and engaging within the bowl 31, is a split nut 38 which has its outer surface tapered correspondingly to the bowl bl, and its inner surface screw-threaded. To hold the nut against rotation, a key 30 embedded in the bowl engages in the split or gap of said nut. A portion 39 of the outer surface of the mandrel 25 is provided with screw-threads, equal in number to the screw-threads of the nut 38, and match with'the screw-threads of the nut 38. The screw-threads are of a saw-tooth or ratchet cross-section so as to permit the mandrel to be moved upwardly through said nut when the nut is elevated in the bowl sufficiently to permit the nut to yield, whereby the threads may pass each other. When said nut is moved upwardly into the enlarged portion of the bowl 31, it will be free and may spread so that the threads will not be in constant engagement, and will not act to screw said nut upwardly, but as said threads engage, the nut will spread and snap over the threads. However, when said nut is down within the taper 3i and the taper is urging the nut inwardly, said threads will be engaged. So that, as the mandrel 25 is rotated, the nut 38 will be held stationary by the key Lid and the mandrel may move downwardly by means of the screwthreads on the mandrel and the screw-threads on the nut in order that the lower portion of the sleeve section 27 will move downwardly away from the upper portion 26. Thus, the screwthreaded nut and the screw-threads on the mandrel act as the feeding means or the means to move the two sections apart. The upper section being held stationary, the lower section will obviously move downwardly, and the nut 38, during this action, will remain at the bottom of the bowl 3i, as is clearly shown in Figure 5.

flange so as to establish communication between said groove and the interior of the shell. The

' shell is filled with a high-explosive powder, as

Bowed friction springs ll have their lower ends fastened on the lower portion of the sleeve section 2i so as to engage and ride upon the inner surface of the casing C and hold the sleeve against rotation. The upper ends of the springs engage within vertical grooves 12 at the upper end of the section 26 to permit the springs to elongate and yield inwardly.

Various types of cartridges or explosive charges may be used, and there is shown one type in Figures 6 and 7. The cartridge consists of a thin shell or container 53, which may be made of brass or other suitable material. Said shell is free to slide within the chambers 2 and has one end open, and receives a projectile it which has its exposed end 35 pointed to retain said projectile in said shell. It is pointed out that the inner end of the cartridge is that portion which abuts the inner end of the chamber 2 of the body 5, and the outer end is that portion which is adjacent the projectile l l, so that the packer lies behind the projectile so as to move outwardly from the center of the bore. The farthermost portion of the cartridge from the center of the gun is the inner end of said cartridge. The .outer end 66 of the shell G3 is crimped around the pointed end 415. The inner end of the projectile is bevelled at ill, and seated upon the bevelled portion is a gas check ring 58, which is within the shell and tightly engages the inner surface of said shell. One side of said ring is provided with an annular flange lli, extending away from said projectile. Said flange is provided with an annular groove 56 formed in its outer surface. Said annular shown at 53. Said shell may be cut or'formed with an annular groove 56 on its outer surface so as to circumferentially weaken said shell or container, whereby,the shell may be more readily distorted by the firing pin iii.

It will be noted that the firing pin l3 abuts the shell at the point which contains the fulminate 5i and the gas check ring 38. Thus, any downward movement of the firing pin l3 will act positively upon the extremely explosive powder 5|. As may be seen in the drawings, when the fulminate Si is exploded, the powder 53 directly beneath said fulminate will be first ignited and as the powder burns back away from the projectile or towards the inner end of said cartridge, the pressure will gradually increase; thus allowing all of the powder 53 to burn and preventing the pressure from becoming so great that the projectile will begin to be moved, carrying therewith some of the unburned powder, as would be the case if the powder was exploded at its inner end, that is, the point farthest from the back portion of the projectile. Obviously, with this construction, all of the powder is burned, and the pressure exerted thereby fully utilized. After the cartridges have been inserted, a jacket 55 is slipped over the body l, and has an annular bell 51 attached by screw-threads to the lower reduced end of the head it. Thus, water or fluid is prevented from entering the chambers 2 and dampening the powder so that the same will not fire.

In operation, the mandrel 25 is connected into the upper end of the head it, and the hammer it is inserted in the chamber H and is pushed back against the tension of the spring 20, and a safety pin 55 inserted, so that said hammer cannot mox e downwardly. The balls 35 and the rods 32 are inserted, and the balls will engage within the annular groove it). Thus, the hammer is held in position by the safety pin 55, while the balls are being inserted. The device is then assembled, with the exception of the body II. The pins it may be inserted either through the opening 5, or through the lower end of the opening iii. For example, the lower cartridge may be placed within the chambers 2, and then the pin i3 directly above said cartridge may be inserted through the opening 5 and down through the opening it; the next cartridge inserted and the next pin placed within the channel l0, until the entire gun is loaded. The upper pin it is then insertedin the retainer plug 8. The spring 5 will hold the firing plunger 8 upwardly until some force moves said pin downwardly against the tension of said spring.

The stud 3 is connected into the lower end l5 of the head it, and the jacket 56 placed over the body 6 and attached to the lower end of the body it.

The device may now be run into a well casing that is desired to be perforated. A pipe (not shown) is connected to the upper end of the mandrel 25, and by the use of a pipe or tubing, the body i may be stopped opposite the strata to be perforated, which will be more accurate than if the same has been run on a. wire line. In other words, the stretch. of a pipe can be determined, and it is much less than the stretch of cable or wire hne. It is further pointed out that by running the tool on tubing or pipe, the bottom portion of the gun will not be rotating in the Well, as it may with wire lines. There is no way to prevent said gun from a slight movement when it is run on a wire line, and such a movement would cause the shells to strike the casing at an angle, and instead of perforating the casing, would glance oif and probably fall down the casing to the bottom. While the gun is being run into the well, the bottom portion of the pipe may rotate, as it often does in running tubing within a well bore. As the lower end of the gun would rotate. the mandrel would travel down through the nut 38, due to the screw-threaded engagement, and if there was no Way to reset the nut 38, the gun might fire before it reached its predetermined destination.

In order to reset the gun, the mandrel 26 is pulled upwardly and the nut 38 strikes the lower end of the section 26, allowing the threaded portion 39 of the mandrel 25 to slide through the nut, snapping it apart as the threads push the threads of the nut, until the upper endof the head l6 again strikes te flange Eli.

In operation, the tubing is made up as it is lowthe pipe within the well to release the slips. At

this time the mandrel 25 will also move up and reset with relation to the nut till, and this is repeated until the tool has reached the strata which is desired to be perforated. The operator has previously, to the time of running the gun into I the well, predetermined by the coarseness or fineness of the threaded portion til of the mandrel 25 and the threads of the nut 38 the number of turns needed on the mandrel 25 to fire the gun. For example, he has set said gun so that it will take six turns to fire it. By rotation of the mandrel 25, the threads of the mandrel and the nut 38 will allow the mandrel 25 to move downwardly through the sections 26 and 27. To prevent the nut 38 from riding up the taper, some of the weight held at the top of the well is let off, so that the nut carried by the mandrel will bear against the tapered portion 3?, and by this slacked weight, said nut will be held within the tapered portion.

It is pointed out that the rods 32 are held against vertical movement by the ring iii, which is confined between the flange. 3t and the lower end of the section in, and the head iii-will slide downwardly, moving the firing hammer i8 and the balls 35 downwardly therewith until such time as the balls 35 are free to move back away from the hammer i t by the tapers it on the lower end of the rods 32. At this time the hammer i8 will be released. The friction blades M frictionally engage the casing and support the sections 26 and 21, and will act to hold said sections against any movement. It is further pointed out that when the mandrel 25 is rotated, the head l6, together with the rods 32 and the rest of the gun, except the sections 26 and 21 and the nut 38, will rotate due to the fact that the upper ends of the rods 32 are connected to the ring 3! which is slidable within the flange 30. When the hammer i8 is released, the pin having previously been removed before running into the well, it will strike the exposed end of the plunger 8. The lower end of the plunger 8 will strike the pin [4, which will strike the shell 43 at a point next to the high-explosive powder 5! and explode the explosive 53, firing the projectile out through the jacket 56 and the casing C. When said pin it strikes the fulminate 5|, said fulminate, exploding the powder 53, Will act upon the next rod iii and transmit that pressure to the next cartridge. This will be repeated until all of the shells have been fired, and the tool may then be pulled out of the well, reloaded and inserted within the well and fired again. Thus by means of the pins, the gun is accurately and positively fired.

In Figure 8, there has been shown an elongated fuse 83. cartridges are placed within the chambers 2. It is pointed out that the cartridge may be constructed as shown in Figure 10. There is first placed in the chamber 2?, a container M, which may be made of wax paper, Celluloid, or any other suitable material. Said container is closed and is filled with an explosive powder t5. After the container M has been placed within the chamber 2, a gas check ring 86 is placed within said chamber. It abuts the container 84, and is provided with an axial opening Bl. The gas check ring at acts to seal around the projectile 88, said ring having a sliding fit with the chamber, but does not set up a frictional hold on said chamber. In other words, as the powder is exploded and begins to expand, the gas check ring forces all of the force of said powder into the center portion of the projectile, thereby preventing the escape of the gas around the projectile. Said ring will follow said projectile out of the chamber, thus maintaining a constant seal around the projectile until said projectile has left the gun.

It is pointed out that a gas check ring is much more desirable than a shear plate, which is used in guns today, due to the fact that the shear plates are sheared after the powder has reached its maximum force, and after it begins to move the projectile out of the chamber, its force is declining. In the structure herein described, the gas check ring follows the shell out, thereby allowing the maximum amount of force to act directly on the projectile, thus utilizing all of the force of the powder to move the projectile, and not to shear some disk or plate. After the ring has been placed within the chamber, the projectile tilt is also placed therein. As will be noticed in Figure 10, between the projectile and the jacket tit which surrounds the entire gun, there is a considerable space 89. It has been found that sometimes it is desirable to fill such space with a suitable lubricant, such a lubricant made of lead and graphite, or beeswax, has been found satisfactory. Said lubricant acts to keep out moisture, and also lubricates the projectile as it is fired from the gun, increasing its penetrating efiiciency. The fuse 83 is placed in the upper end of the channel l0 and pushed downwardly there: through. The container 84 is of paper, or any other suitable material, so that said fuse will penetrate the container and pass therethrough, downwardly to the next cartridge or container, until the same has reached the bottom of the gun.

The primer cartridge M will be inserted in placeof the plunger 8; said primer cartridge is of the usual character and it is not deemed necessary to describe the cartridge, as it is an ordinary cartridge that may be bought on' the open market. When the hammer I8 is released and In this particular figure, all'of the" the primer cartridge is fired, said cartridge will give off flame and a certain degreeof pressure. Said flame will strike the fuse 83, and said fuse will burn down until it reaches the first cartridge and will ignite said powder. The fuse, of course, will continue to burn down to the next cartridge, but while said fuse is burning, the first cartridge will be fired due to the burning of the powder and the exertion of the pressure of such powder on the projectile 88, and will shoot the same out through the jacket 56 and through the casing. In the event the operator desired more shots in that particular stratum, before running the device in the well, he would attach another firing body 8 onto the pin 82. All of said bodies are made alike so that they may be interchangeable. Thus, the

channel it of the second body would communicate with the lower end of the channel ill of the first body. In this instance, a longer fuse could be used and could be forced down through the first body and then through the second body. Also, in this instance, the jacket 56 would be elongated to cover as many sections as are used. Thus, it can be seen that any number of such bodies may be fired from the one common firing from said cartridge will pass down the channel to:

to the next cartridge and fire it. This will be repeated until all of the cartridges are fired.

There is shown in Figure 11, still another form for firing the gun. In this form, the body l is made identically to that shown in the previous figures, having the channel i and the cartridges within the chambers 2. Instead of a continuous fuse or short pin, or an open hole, a plurality of short sections of fuses 9i are used and are inserted above each of the cartridges, as were the pins in Figure 1. When the gun is fired, the flame from the primer cartridge will ignite the first fuse, which will of course fire the first cartridge. The second fuse will be ignited by the first cartridge and will burn down to fire the second cartridge. This is repeated until the entire gun has been fired.

Oftentimes it is desirable to shoot more than one stratum at a time. This may be accomplished by attaching to the lower pin 82 another complete gun B, as shown in Figure 12. When the plurality of guns are lowered into the well, the dogs fill of the upper gun A and the lower gun B will have a sliding engagement with the easing, but said guns are set to operate on a difierent number of turns. For example, the gun A may be set so as to fire upon six rotations of the tubing; the gun B may be set to operate upon twelve rotations of the tubing connected to the top of the gun A, thus when the tubing is rotated, both guns will operate, as hereinbefore explained, the friction blades ii engaging the casing, and the body I! of each gun rotating. Therefore, when six turns have been completed, the gun A will fire. The gun B will also have been rotated six turns, but it has been set to fire on twelve turns; therefore, after the gun A has been fired, the guns are moved up, which will reset the nut 38, and then the guns may be moved up to another stratum or down to another stratum. When the desired place has been reached, the tubing is rotated twelve times, and the gun B will fire. Thus, it can be seen that any number of guns could be placed in series and each of them fired at a different time and at different strata, making out of the single gun, a multiple gun.

When two or more complete guns are used, as herein described, the upper section of the gun could not receive the plug l2. However, said plug may be used on the lower gun and the jacket 56 could not be closed at its lower end, due to the fact that the adapter 92 connecting the two guns would have to be attached to the pin 82 and the firing head, and the other barrel of the gun attached to said adapter. Therefore, the lower end of the jacket is bent inwardly to form an annu-' lar flange 90 which will lie between the bottom of the gun and the upper portion of the adapter, thereby forming an annular seal around the bottom of the gun. It is pointed out that in place of the jacket being bent inwardly to form an annular flange, a rubber ring could be vulcanized to the jacket and lie between the adapter and the lower end of the gun. Any suitable means that would hold the cover and seal off its lower end could be used. Obviously, any number of bodies i could be depended from each of the firing heads, obtaining as long or as short a gun as desirable, and also obtaining any number of different perforations.

Thus it can be seen that a gun, which may use the rotation of the pipe to fire the same, is greatly desirable, as the pipe does not stretch as much as wire line, and it is possible to get a more positive firing with this type of gun than has been previously shown. With a type of body l, as used, the gun can be manufactured very inexpensively, and will enable the operator to leave the gun within the well after he has perforated so that he may produce through the same. Hence, a more accurate and a much more safely operated gun is provided. However, with this type of barrel any suitable firing means can be used. Said barrel could be fired electrically, and it could be run on a wire line and operated in the same manner as the guns of today. There are various other means for firing the projectiles such as, in place of the fuses, a non-insulating electrical wire (not shown) may be used.

Various changes, alterations and modifications may be made in the size, shape and arrangement of the herein described elements,.within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A well perforating gun including, a support having a plurality of transverse firing chambers having a powder section and a projectile section and a longitudinal firing channel transecting said chambers at a point near the outer end of the powder section whereby the outer portion of the powder is first ignited.

. 2. A well perforating gun including, a support having a plurality of transverse firing chambers having a powder section and a projectile section and a longitudinal firing channel transacting said chambers at a point near the outer end 01 the powder section whereby the outer portion 01 the powder is first ignited, said firing channei being of restricted cross-sectional area to negative the escape of the explosive gas therethrougl as each chamber is fired.

and a longitudinal firing channel transectins' said chambers at a point near the outer end of the powder section whereby the outer portion of the powder is first ignited, and a firing element in the channel extending from one chamber to the next chamber.

4. A well perforating gun including, a support having a plurality of transverse firing chambers having a powder section and a projectile section and a longitudinal firing channel transecting said chambers at a point near the outer end of the powder whereby the outer portion of the powder is first ignited, a firing element in the channel extending from one chamber to the next :hamber, and an initial firing means coacting with said element.

5. A well perforating gun including, a barrel riaving transverse firing chambers'having a powier section and a projectile section superposed in iivergent relation to each other, and an axial firvng channel transecting said chambers at a point near the outer end of the powder section whereby ;he outer portion oi the powder is first ignited.

6. A well perforating gun including, a barrel iaving transverse firing chambers having a powier section and a projectile section superposed n divergent relation to each other, an axial firng channel transecting said chambers ata point war the outer end of the powder section whereiy the outer portion of the powder is first ignited, tlld a jacket on said barrel inclosing said cham- Jers. I

7. A well perforating gun including, a barrel raving transverse firing chambers having a pw= ler section and a projectile section superposed in livergent relation to each other and an axial firng channel transecting said chambers at a point iear the outer end of the powder section wherey the outer portion of the powder is first ignited, t firing element in the channel of the barrel, and neans at the upper end of the channel for iniially operating the firing element.

8. A well perforating gun including, a support raving a plurality of transverse firing chambers Lnd a longitudinal firing channel transacting iaid chambers, and firing pins in the channel ex- ,endlng from one chamber to the next chamber.

9. A Well perforating gun including, a support iaving a plurality of transverse firing chambers iaving a powder section and a projectile section tlld a longitudinal firing channel transecting said :hambers at a point near the outer end oi the rowder section whereby the outer portion of the iowder is first ignited, and fuse means within aid channel for firing said firing chambers.

10. A well perforating gun including, a support raving a plurality of transverse firing chambers raving a powder section and a projectile section ind a longitudinal firing channel transecting said :hambers at a point near the outer end of the owder section whereby the outer portion of the )owder is first ignited, and a fuse means in the :hannel extending from one chamber to the next :hamber.

11. A well perforating gun including, a support raving a plurality of transverse firing chambers .nd a longitudinal firing channel transacting aid chambers, firing pins in the channel extendng from one chamber to the next chamber, and n initial firing means coacting with said pins.

12. A well perforating gun including, a support raving a plurality of transverse firing chambers raving a powder section and a projectile section ,nd a longitudinal firing channel transectin aid chambers at a point near the outer end of the powder section whereby the outer portion of the powder is first ignited, fuse means within said channel for firing said firing chambers, and an initial firing means coacting with said fuse means.

13. A well perforating gun including, a support having a plurality of transverse firing chambers having a powder section and a projectile section and a longitudinal firing channel transecting said chambers at a point near the outer end of the powder section whereby the outer portion of the powder is first ignited, a fuse means in the channel extending from one chamber to the next chamber, and an initial firing means coacting with said fuse means.

i l. The combination in a well perforating gun, of a support having a plurality of transverse firing chambers having a powder section and a pro jectile section therein and a longitudinal firing channel transectihg said chambers at a point near the outer end of the powder section whereby the outer portion of the powder is first ignited, and a firing head connected and coacting with the support and its firing channel.

15. The combination in a well perforating gun, of a support having a plurality of transverse firing chambers having a powder section and a projectile section therein and a longitudinal firing channel transecting said chambers at a point near the outer end of the powder section whereby the outer portion or the power is first ignited, firing' means within said channel, and a firing head having means for actuating said. firing means.

16. A well perforating gun including, a barrel having transverse firing chambers having a powder section and a projectile section superposed in divergent relation to each other and an axial firing channel transecting said chambers at a point near the outer end oi the powder section whereby the outer portion of the powder is first i nited, a firing element in the channel, an initial firing means coacting with said element, and a firing head connected to and coacting with the support and the firing element for operating the initial firing means.

17. A well perforating gun including, a barrel having transverse firing chambers superposed in divergent relation to each other and an axial firing channel transecting said chambers, pin means in the channel extending from one chamber to the next chamber, an initial firing means coacting with said pin means, and a firing head connected to and coacting with the support and the pin means for operating the initial firing means.

18: A well perforating gun including, a barrel having transverse firing chambers having a powder section and a projectile section superposed in divergent relation to each other and an-axial firing channel transecting said chambers at a point near the outer end of the powder section whereby the outer portion of the powder is first ignited, a fuse means in the channel, an initial firing means coacting with said fuse. means, and a firing head connected to and coacting with the support and the fuse means for operating the initial firing means.

19. A well perforating gun including, a barrel having transverse firing chambers having a powder section and a projectile section superposed in divergent relation to each other and an axial firing channel transecting said chambers at a point near the outer end of the powder section whereby the o uter portion of the powder is first ignited,a fuse means in the channel extending innermost end of said firing chambers, and firfrom one chamber to the next chamber, an initial firing means coacting with said fuse means, and

a firing head connected to and coacting with the support and the fuse means for operating the initial firing means.

20. A well perforating gun including, a support having a plurality of transverse firing chambers, and a longitudinal axial firing channel transecting said chambers at a point spaced outwardly a considerable distance from the innermost end of said firing chambers.

21. A well perforating gun including, a support having a plurality of transverse firing chambers, and a longitudinal axial firing channel transecting said chambers.

22. A well perforating gun including, a support having a plurality of transverse firing chambers, a longitudinal firing channel transecting said chambers at a point spaced outwardly from the ing pins in the channel extending from one chamber to the next chamber.

23. A well perforating gun including, a support having a plurality of transverse firing chambers,-

a longitudinal axial firing channel transecting said chambers at a point spaced outwardly from the innermost end of said firing chambers, and fuse means within said channel for firing said firing chambers. 7

24. A well perforating gun including, a support having a plurality of transverse firing chambers, a longitudinal axial firing channel transacting said chambers at a point spaced outwardly from the innermost end of said firing chambers, and a fuse means in the channel extending from one chamber to the next chamber.

ARTHUR J. COLLINS, 

